New research shows that the gender gap in life expectancy is widening in the United States, with women expected to live nearly six years longer than men. The study analyzed data from 2010 to 2021 and found that the gap increased by 0.23 years from 2010 to 2019 and 0.70 years from 2019 to 2021. In 2021, women had a life expectancy of 79.1 years, while men had a life expectancy of 73.2 years, marking the largest difference since 1996.
The study also revealed that overall life expectancy in the U.S. continued to decline, dropping from 78.8 years in 2019 to 76.1 years in 2021. One of the main reasons for women’s longer life spans is their lower rates of smoking and subsequent lower rates of cardiovascular and lung cancer deaths compared to men.
Dr. Michael Fredericson, co-director of the Stanford Longevity Center, suggests that women generally adhere to healthier lifestyles than men, which may contribute to their longer life expectancy. He believes that men can catch up by adopting healthier habits, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 has had a significant impact on men’s life expectancy, with the disease being the biggest contributor to the widening gender gap. Men experienced higher mortality rates from COVID-19 than women, possibly due to factors such as comorbidities, socioeconomic circumstances, and increased exposure to the virus through work.
Unintentional injuries, particularly drug overdoses, were the second-largest contributor to the life expectancy gap. Men are more likely to engage in illicit drug use and have higher rates of overdose deaths compared to women.
Heart disease has historically been a leading cause of death for men and contributes to the gender gap in life expectancy. Men are more prone to developing heart disease at an earlier age, while women’s higher levels of reproductive hormones may offer some protection.
Suicide and homicide rates also contribute to the gender gap, with men dying by suicide at higher rates than women, often due to the use of firearms. Firearms accounted for the majority of suicide deaths in 2021, and men are more likely to have access to guns.
Diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes, is more prevalent in men and can impact life expectancy. Men are more likely to have undiagnosed diabetes and develop the disease at a lower weight than women.
To improve life expectancy overall, Dr. Fredericson recommends adopting healthy lifestyle habits such as not smoking, maintaining a healthy body mass index, getting regular exercise, limiting alcohol intake, and following a nutritious diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
By incorporating these habits, men can work towards narrowing the gender gap in life expectancy and improving their overall health and well-being.
